British consumers streamed a record 139 billion audio streams in 2020

By Emmanuel Legrand

British music streaming consumption in 2020 reached 139 billion audio streams, up 21.9% over 2019 figures, with streaming representing 80.6% of UK music consumption, according to figures from trade body the BPI, based on Official Charts Company data. 

  Overall recorded music consumption in the UK rose by 8.2% in 2020, with 155.4 million albums or their equivalent (AES) either streamed or purchased by British consumers. Streaming equivalent albums accounted for 125.2 million, up 20.2% from 2019. Close to 200 artists earned over 100 million streams or more in the UK in 2020. 

Continued investment in production

  “Streaming means that there are many more artists active in the market than ever before," BPI Chief Executive Geoff Taylor (pictured, below). "This is great news for fans, but means that it is harder than ever for artists to achieve success – so that continued support and investment from record labels in marketing and production is crucial." 

  

Despite continuous growth in vinyl sales to 4.8 million units, physical sales were down 24.6% year-on-year to 21.1 million units, with CD sales down 31.7% to 16.1 million units, and digital sales down by 19%, to 5.9 million units. 

  The number of vinyl LPs that were sold in the UK in 2020 reached 4.8 million units, a 10% increase over the previous year, marking the 13th year of consecutive growth for the format. Surprisingly, cassette sales have also experienced a surge in sales.

British music's global influence

  The BPI also released stats showing that one in every 10 songs (10.1%) streamed around the world was by a British artist. This figure "highlights the extraordinary global influence of British music," according to the BPI, which noted that music markets "previously out of reach, notably in Asia, South America and Africa, are much more accessible thanks to streaming’s global reach and record labels’ digital marketing."

  Most streamed artists include established artists such as Ed Sheeran, Adele, Sam Smith, Calvin Harris, Harry Styles, Coldplay and iconic acts such as Queen and The Beatles, as well as new British talent such as Dua Lipa, Lewis Capaldi, Stormzy, Anne Marie, George Ezra, Ellie Goulding, Rag’n’Bone Man and The 1975.

  "The success of British artists around the world demonstrates how the UK continues to punch well above its weight as the world’s second-leading exporter of music (after the US), and third-largest recorded music market," explained the BPI.